KARACHI, May 13: At a high-level meeting of secretaries’ committee, chaired by Sindh chief secretary Mohammad Javed Ashraf Hussain, it was observed that provincial administrative departments and district governments have, so far, utilized only 60 per cent of the funds released for execution of schemes under the ADP.

The meeting, among others, was attended by City Nazim, District Nazims of the province, additional chief secretary (development), all administrative secretaries, all district coordination officers, Brig. Tariq Ali Khan from 5-Corps Headquarters.

The committee reviewed the progress on mega development projects; Khushhal Pakistan Project, Annual Development Programme, president’s grant under education sector reform, drought emergency relief assistance and the projects of lining of water courses.

The committee also reviewed progress on third instalment of food support programme and absorption of surplus employees.

The committee observed that Rs2,788 million have, so far, been released for KPP-III—a development programme sized at Rs2.8 billion and likely to benefit about 19 million population in the province. It was observed that 1,924 schemes have been approved, tenders have been called for 1,846 and work has started on 1,104 schemes. The physical progress was assessed to be about 30 per cent on the schemes under process.

The Nazims and DCOs assured that by June 30, about 80 per cent of physical and financial progress will be achieved.

KPP-III programme was initiated only in January 2002. The Nazims requested for one month extension beyond June 30 for 100 per cent completion of the programme. The committee observed that the KPP phase-III has, so far, generated 26,535 job opportunities and is likely to create another 20,000 jobs as the project progresses further.

The Nazims and DCOs were advised to complete all the approved 1,924 schemes by June 30.

Progress on annual development programme — sized at Rs5.7 billion and involving execution of 994 schemes — was discussed and it was stated that so far Rs4 billion have been released by finance department.

The committee observed that the administrative departments and district governments have spent 60 per cent of the released amount.

The chief secretary directed all the administrative departments and the district governments to accelerate pace of work on the schemes and ensure utilization of the released amount before the end of the financial year.

The drought emergency relief programme worth Rs 3 billion was also discussed.

A total of 209 schemes worth Rs1400 million, in Karachi, and other cities of Sindh were identified and forwarded to the national steering committee, for an approval.

This project is expected to bring about substantial uplift in drought-hit districts of the province.

The progress on the World Bank-funded project of lining of watercourses was also discussed. The project estimated to cost Rs.10 billion, is directed at lining of 2,705 watercourses all over the province. Work on 124 watercourses is under progress, it was informed.

The progress on president’s programme for rehabilitation and optimum utilization of facilities in educational institutions and federal government’s education sector reforms was reviewed. It was informed that out of a total allocation of Rs518.76 million, Rs259.38 million have been released.

The chief secretary directed for expeditious execution of the project.—APP